Perinatal Mental Health Service - Colchester

The Perinatal Mental Health Service provides community-based treatment and support for mums, mums-to-be and their families. The service is available to women during the perinatal period (during pregnancy and up to baby’s first birthday) who are experiencing, or are likely to experience mental health difficulties. Our team aims to help Mums and their families to have safe, healthy pregnancies, and supportive postnatal experiences by promoting well-being and preventing relapse.

The service is open to mums and mums-to-be who are currently experiencing a moderate to severe mental health issue, or have in the past experienced a serious mental health issue such as:

• Birth trauma
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Intense fear of childbirth (Tokophobia)
• Psychosis
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Bipolar affective disorder
• Complex Trauma (including C-PTSD)

You can contact your GP, midwife, health visitor, care coordinator or mental health worker to request a referral to our service, we are unable to accept self-referrals.

Often, parents worry about seeking help. It can be worrying to feel that you need help, and frightening to invite professionals in. We would like to emphasise that we are here to be supportive and helpful with your particular struggles, and to ensure that the voices of you, your baby, partner and family are heard at all times throughout our time with you.